Rajasthan Royals Kick Off IPL 2026 Campaign with High-Stakes Opener Against Chennai Super Kings
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the complete schedule for the Indian Premier League 2026 season, with Rajasthan Royals set to commence their journey on Monday, March 30. The inaugural match will see them face off against the formidable Chennai Super Kings at their designated home venue, the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. This highly anticipated clash is scheduled for a prime-time start at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time, promising an electrifying atmosphere for cricket enthusiasts nationwide.
Major Squad Reshuffle: Samson Departs, Jadeja Arrives Amid Injury Setback
In a dramatic pre-season development, Rajasthan Royals have executed a high-profile trade that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community. The franchise has parted ways with their long-standing captain and batting mainstay, Sanju Samson, who has now joined the Chennai Super Kings. In a strategic exchange, RR have secured the services of the versatile all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and the dynamic English all-rounder Sam Curran.
However, the team has encountered an early setback as Sam Curran has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to a significant injury. To fill this void, Rajasthan Royals have moved swiftly to sign Sri Lankan powerhouse Dasun Shanaka as his replacement, adding depth and firepower to their squad.
Complete Rajasthan Royals Squad for IPL 2026 Season
The Rajasthan Royals have assembled a balanced and competitive roster for the upcoming campaign, blending experienced international stars with promising domestic talent. The full squad is as follows:
- Captain: Riyan Parag
- Wicketkeepers: Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius
- Batters: Ravi Singh, Aman Perala, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran (injured, replaced by Dasun Shanaka)
- Bowlers: Adam Milne, Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, Kuldeep Sen, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sandeep Sharma
Detailed Home and Away Match Schedule for Rajasthan Royals
Home Matches at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati and Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur:
- March 30 vs Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati at 7:30 PM IST
- April 7 vs Mumbai Indians in Guwahati at 7:30 PM IST
- April 10 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati at 7:30 PM IST
- April 25 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur at 7:30 PM IST
- May 1 vs Delhi Capitals in Jaipur at 7:30 PM IST
- May 9 vs Gujarat Titans in Jaipur at 7:30 PM IST
- May 19 vs Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur at 7:30 PM IST
Away Matches Across Various Venues:
- April 4 vs Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad at 7:30 PM IST
- April 13 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad at 7:30 PM IST
- April 19 vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata at 3:30 PM IST
- April 22 vs Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow at 7:30 PM IST
- April 28 vs Punjab Kings in Mullanpur at 7:30 PM IST
- May 17 vs Delhi Capitals in Delhi at 7:30 PM IST
- May 24 vs Mumbai Indians in Mumbai at 3:30 PM IST
Comprehensive Fixture List for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026
The complete schedule for Rajasthan Royals throughout the IPL 2026 season is outlined below, providing fans with a clear roadmap of all matches:
- March 30: Chennai Super Kings (Home) in Guwahati at 7:30 PM IST
- April 4: Gujarat Titans (Away) in Ahmedabad at 7:30 PM IST
- April 7: Mumbai Indians (Home) in Guwahati at 7:30 PM IST
- April 10: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Home) in Guwahati at 7:30 PM IST
- April 13: Sunrisers Hyderabad (Away) in Hyderabad at 7:30 PM IST
- April 19: Kolkata Knight Riders (Away) in Kolkata at 3:30 PM IST
- April 22: Lucknow Super Giants (Away) in Lucknow at 7:30 PM IST
- April 25: Sunrisers Hyderabad (Home) in Jaipur at 7:30 PM IST
- April 28: Punjab Kings (Away) in Mullanpur at 7:30 PM IST
- May 1: Delhi Capitals (Home) in Jaipur at 7:30 PM IST
- May 9: Gujarat Titans (Home) in Jaipur at 7:30 PM IST
- May 17: Delhi Capitals (Away) in Delhi at 7:30 PM IST
- May 19: Lucknow Super Giants (Home) in Jaipur at 7:30 PM IST
- May 24: Mumbai Indians (Away) in Mumbai at 3:30 PM IST
This meticulously planned schedule ensures that Rajasthan Royals will navigate a challenging mix of home advantage and away tests as they aim for IPL glory in 2026. With a revamped squad and strategic fixtures, the stage is set for an enthralling season of high-octane cricket action.
